Diageo Korea said on the 9th that it is recruiting participants for "World Class Korea 2026," the world's largest bartending competition.
Marking its 17th year, World Class is a bartending competition hosted by Diageo to discover the next generation of bartenders. This year's World Class Korea theme is "K-bar Renaissance (Bar Renaissance)."
Recently, a total of eight Korean bars, including Zest, Bar Cham, and Le Chamber, were named to "World's Best Bars" and "Asia's Best Bars," and Korea has established itself not as an emerging market but as a cultural reference. This competition underscores the message that "Korea's champion is a global champion," in line with the stature of Korea's bar scene.
Diageo Korea noted that beyond simply competing on technique and selecting the nation's top bartender, the ability to interpret Korea's culture through cocktails is crucial.
Applications for World Class Korea 2026 will be accepted through the 20th, and the competition will proceed in three stages: the first and second challenges, followed by the final challenge. The first challenge consists of two tasks—the "Ruby Moment in Korea" mission and a written test—and will take place over two days, from Mar. 30 to 31. Forty participants who pass will advance to the second challenge, held from May 7 to 8, where they will present their own creative cocktails before a panel of judges.
Finally, the winner of World Class Korea 2026 will be decided at the final challenge on June 12. The winner will represent Korea at "World Class Global," to be held in the fall this year.
At the World Class Korea final challenge stage, a renowned overseas bartender will visit as a judge and conduct a master class for participants. Contestants will be able to experience world-class bartending firsthand on site.
Seong Jung-yong, senior brand ambassador at Diageo Korea, said, "World Class Korea 2026 respects the past of Korea's bar culture, proves its present, and defines the next phase on the global stage," adding, "Diageo, as a strategic partner to Korea's bar scene, will continue to expand the platform that enables bartenders to compete on the world stage."